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How can a cactus live without water?

Plants need water to survive, which is an idea you’re probably already pretty familiar with. But a cactus is known for being able to live with very, very little water!

Cactuses (sometimes also called "cacti") are a type of plant called a "succulent," and are best known for living in hot, dry places like the desert, where they do not get a lot of water. Cactuses do need some water to survive, but can get along with a lot less than most plants.

One reason cactuses can get along with less water is because they don’t have leaves, so the water a cactus drinks does not evaporate as much as the water other plants drink. Additionally, cactuses have thick stalks which allow them to store water for a long time and roots that are good at finding and soaking up water even when its scarce! - Neat!

Exploration

Water Storage

Just like a cactus is able to get along in the desert with very little water, there’s an animal also known for living in the desert who stores water too! – Do you know what animal that is?? The answer is the camel!

If you were going to be in a hot place, what are some things (like water) that you might plan to bring along??